Accreditation

The University of Kansas physical therapy program was granted a full accreditation status for the maximum 10-year term in June 2005. The University of Kansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Kansas is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). CAPTE completed its last visit in spring 2009.

Who is CAPTE? The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) grants specialized accreditation status to qualified entry-level education programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. CAPTE is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

The 26-member Commission comprises broad representation from the educational community, the physical therapy profession, and the public. Members include physical therapy educators who are basic scientists, curriculum specialists, and academic administrators; physical therapy clinicians and clinical educators; administrators from institutions of higher education; and public representatives. The wide-ranging experience and expertise of this group in education in general and physical therapy education in particular provide ongoing assurance that the accreditation process of physical therapy education programs is fair, reliable, and effective.

How can I file a complaint against a CAPTE accredited program? The only mechanism through which the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) can act on your concerns is through the formal complaint process. Please be aware that your complaint MUST be related specifically to one or more of the Evaluative Criteria, to the Statement on Integrity in Program Closure, or to the Statement of Integrity in Accreditation. In other words you need to link your complaint to violation of the Criteria or the Statements. The Criteria can be found in the Accreditation Handbook.

Also, in order for CAPTE to consider your complaint to be bona fide, you MUST have exhausted all of your avenues for redress at the institution. You need to understand that CAPTE cannot function as an arbiter between you and the school. Should CAPTE find that your complaint has merit and that the program is out of compliance with the Evaluative Criteria or the Statements, CAPTE can only require the program to come into compliance with the Evaluative Criteria. If you wish to pursue filing a complaint against a program, please contact the Department of Accreditation and we will provide you with the appropriate forms and information for doing so.